Showing the palms toward another person, exposing a vulnerable surface of the hand.
While explaining an honest mistake a person spreads both palms upward as if to say there is nothing hidden. The gesture offers the hands openly, inviting trust at the very moment it is most needed.
Open palms tend to signal honesty, openness and a wish to be seen as trustworthy. They often accompany an appeal for understanding, reinforcing the words with a show of nothing concealed.
Skilled persuaders can perform this gesture, so weigh it against the substance of what is said. An open palm is reassuring but easily rehearsed, so judge the claim on its merits as well.
Hand movements that accompany speech and paint the shape, size or rhythm of what is being said.
ExploreGestures with a fixed meaning that can stand in for words, such as a thumbs up or a beckoning hand.
ExploreSmall self-touching movements such as rubbing the hands or stroking the arm that help to soothe nerves.
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